The Fishing Thread

[Easy 6]

Searched around & only found the video fishing & BassMasters threads, i know their are plenty of outdoorsman here, so i figured it'd be cool to draw upon the Planets vast experience in all things fishing.

I only use spincast reels & fish mostly large/smallmouth bass & cats. My choice of reels is quite the source of derision from many people i know 'duffer gear', but i haul in my share of 6 pound bass & 10-20 pound cats on that gear no problem. With a little know-how you can use just about any technique you want to on 'duffer gear'.

Berkley Powerbaits are a big part of my trick bag, the difference between those & regular stuff is night & day. My best action last summer came on Mister Twister scented white curly tail grubs, on one day fishing from shore to a bridge pier, i caught smallies, bigmouths, perch & even 1 carp believe it or not... great day. But my bread & butter is a texas rigged Berkley worm, it'll wiggle through any kind of cover without getting hung up.

With cats i strictly bottom fish, no bobber & bait is just as basic... but its always in 2's to give'em a real treat... a shrimp/with a nightcrawler, liver/chunk of cheese etc. Cats are mostly for night sport to me, time to kick back a lil...

So thats me style, how do the rest of you guys get your fish on? What do you fish for, what do you use? IIRC Missouri's trout season just kicked off, anyone getting anything?

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

We are set for going to Bennett on opening weekend, looking forward to it.

That’s cool, I think its Lzen that makes that an annual trip too.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

I'm just getting into fly fishing too, I looked for a conversation just like this about 2-3 weeks ago, but didn't start one up then when I didn't see one.


I have most of the gear taken care of now. The rod came from the guy I am going with, he is letting me use the one he used to use since he just got a new one, so that cost is avoided for now.

I got some waders from bass pro on gift cards I got for Christmas. Ended up with white river stocking foot waders and white river wading boots as well. More than I would have spent, but I had an assload of giftcards anyhow.

Instead of a vest I got one of those orvis sling packs. From hunting I always disliked vests and lots of pockets in front of me, so I went for the sling pack so I could easily get the bulk behind me.

I've only used the rod once in the back yard, but the casting didn't feel as awkwards as I thought it would. It is a lot easier to understand what I heard of in videos once I could feel the weight of the line from the rod. I also figured out how easily leaders break since I broke it several times just in the back yard when it twisted around dormant grass stems.

We are set for going to Bennett on opening weekend, looking forward to it.

Casting feels a bit different (and is easier) when you actually have line out on the water. The water gives a bit of tension and helps load up the rod on the initial backcast, whereas the lawn just lets the line slide so it doesn't load the rod as much.

Be sure to clean your line after using it in the yard. Dirt and dust get on the line and make it not float well and not shoot well.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

I'm just getting into fly fishing too, I looked for a conversation just like this about 2-3 weeks ago, but didn't start one up then when I didn't see one.


I have most of the gear taken care of now. The rod came from the guy I am going with, he is letting me use the one he used to use since he just got a new one, so that cost is avoided for now.

I got some waders from bass pro on gift cards I got for Christmas. Ended up with white river stocking foot waders and white river wading boots as well. More than I would have spent, but I had an assload of giftcards anyhow.

Instead of a vest I got one of those orvis sling packs. From hunting I always disliked vests and lots of pockets in front of me, so I went for the sling pack so I could easily get the bulk behind me.

I've only used the rod once in the back yard, but the casting didn't feel as awkwards as I thought it would. It is a lot easier to understand what I heard of in videos once I could feel the weight of the line from the rod. I also figured out how easily leaders break since I broke it several times just in the back yard when it twisted around dormant grass stems.

We are set for going to Bennett on opening weekend, looking forward to it.

Man, you couldn't pay me enough to go to one of those opening weekend events. If there's one thing I can't stand it's other fishermen. I have to be away and have my space.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by loochy

Man, you couldn't pay me enough to go to one of those opening weekend events. If there's one thing I can't stand it's other fishermen. I have to be away and have my space.

Snagging for spoonbill would drive you crazy. It’s shoulder to shoulder with guys slinging 8 oz. sinkers with treble hooks the size of your fist. Fights even break out over it.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Snagging for spoonbill would drive you crazy. It’s shoulder to shoulder with guys slinging 8 oz. sinkers with treble hooks the size of your fist. Fights even break out over it.

Dude I don't even like bait fishermen anymore...I saw that I'd probably have a heart attack.

[stonedstooge]

Anyone have experience with cast nets? Looking to try and get shad for catfishing this spring. Recommendations? Areas to try? Any information would be appreciated

[tooge]

Speaking of Fly fishing, I'm heading to the White in Arkansas in two weeks for our annual February trout trip. We caught fish right and left last year and the weather was great. I bought some "skulpin head" weights that I'm gonna use to tie some gnarly sculpin flies in the hope of catching a big brown this year. Last years biggest was 20 inches.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by loochy

Dude I don't even like bait fishermen anymore...I saw that I'd probably have a heart attack.

It’s a big part of why I don’t do it anymore. That and you snag one spoonbill and you’re done. That's a lot of hassle and expense for uh fish.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by tooge

Speaking of Fly fishing, I'm heading to the White in Arkansas in two weeks for our annual February trout trip. We caught fish right and left last year and the weather was great. I bought some "skulpin head" weights that I'm gonna use to tie some gnarly sculpin flies in the hope of catching a big brown this year. Last years biggest was 20 inches.

Fishing below the dam?

They put out a memo this year that the horn they use for the dam flow opening up is being tested all the time. Told us not to pay attention to it.

If you hear what used to be the warning horn for them opening up one of the gates, you no longer need to head to higher ground. You can just keep on fishing.

Good luck!

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Groves

Fishing below the dam?

They put out a memo this year that the horn they use for the dam flow opening up is being tested all the time. Told us not to pay attention to it.

If you hear what used to be the warning horn for them opening up one of the gates, you no longer need to head to higher ground. You can just keep on fishing.

Good luck!

What a terrible idea. Don't get stuck out in the middle and drown because you thought it was just a test horn.

[tooge]

Originally Posted by Groves

Fishing below the dam?

They put out a memo this year that the horn they use for the dam flow opening up is being tested all the time. Told us not to pay attention to it.

If you hear what used to be the warning horn for them opening up one of the gates, you no longer need to head to higher ground. You can just keep on fishing.

Good luck!

I don't fish there much due to so many people these days. twenty years ago you could be the only guy there, not so much now. I go down to Cotter shoals or even farther down, all the way to the confluence with the Norfork branch.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by loochy

What a terrible idea. Don't get stuck out in the middle and drown because you thought it was just a test horn.

Party pooper.

Don't listen to that guy.

I think Papa John's bought the siren. They're just sounding the "hot pizza" alarm. Don't you worry.

What's the worst that could happen?


(Just to clarify to new fishermen, or new to the White River fishermen: These large dams have great fishing below them, but when they need to let water through to adjust levels, it can cause rapid and death-inducing floods no matter how good a swimmer you are. Therefore, they sound an alarm/siren/horn to let people know that "it's a comin". Ignore the alarm at your peril)

[tooge]

several years ago we were fishing on the norfork branch and I had a buddy that hadn't been there before. he waded across the river. I noticed the water was rising slowly and yelled over to him, but he didn't listen and just kept fishing. He ended up having to swim across with his rod in his mouth and ended up about 500 yards down river.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Groves

Party pooper.

Don't listen to that guy.

I think Papa John's bought the siren. They're just sounding the "hot pizza" alarm. Don't you worry.

What's the worst that could happen?


(Just to clarify to new fishermen, or new to the White River fishermen: These large dams have great fishing below them, but when they need to let water through to adjust levels, it can cause rapid and death-inducing floods no matter how good a swimmer you are. Therefore, they sound an alarm/siren/horn to let people know that "it's a comin". Ignore the alarm at your peril)

Doh. I'm reeruned. Sorry.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

That’s cool, I think its Lzen that makes that an annual trip too.

I will be down there as well, Mar. 1-3.

I've had a fly rod for several years and have never caught a trout on it. I can be right next to my buddy, and he'll be catching the shit out of them. Even with the same fly tied on. I just can't get the hang of it. I have no problem casting for the most part. I guess my presentation just sucks. But I try it every year, get frustrated and go back to my ultra-light.